So I’ve decided to rev it up a bit and from now on, we’ll do 3 blocks per week as most of the pieces are already cut out!
The first block is Idaho and it’s probably my favorite Go-to block! ( I know it’s the same as one of the 12″ blocks)
With die #1 and dark red cut (2) large squares- save 1 for this block (3 1/2″ square)
grab (8) dark blue #5 triangles already cut (2 3/8″ triangles)
also grab (4) #2 white squares (2″ squares)
and grab (4) #4 white triangles (4 1/4″ square cut diagonally twice)
sew the flying geese together first, press seams open!
My block looks crooked, but it’s not, it just didn’t lay flat on my design wall I think.
Here’s some facts about the GEM STATE
(and here I thought it was nick named the potato state!)
Date became a State: July 3, 1890
Number accepted into the Union: #43/50
American Falls is unique from most communities because the entire town was moved in the mid-1920s when the original American Falls Dam was constructed
In Idaho law forbids a citizen to give another citizen a box of candy that weighs more than 50 pounds
The economy of Idaho City originally developed around gold mining in the 1860s
Hell’s Canyon is the deepest gorge in America
Idaho has the longest main street in America, 33 miles, in Island Park
Idaho’s Great Seal was designed by a female. If that doesn’t sound very special you probably don’t realize that all other Great Seals in the country were designed by men.
Produce Production
Idaho is number one when it comes to growing, harvesting and selling potatoes. Not news? Okay, well did you know that this state is also number one when it comes to producing Austrian winter peas and lentils? It is also number one in the trout industry.
A River Runs Through It
Idaho is also number one when it comes to rivers. It has more river than any other state, stretching on for a combined 3,100 miles.
Not So Merry
Everyone loves to spin round and round on the merry-go-round, but Idaho is having none of that craziness.
If you get to spinning on the horsy in this state you could find yourself in jail with the other criminals who dared have a bit of fun.
Camel Clues
You love fishing and Idaho has tons of river water to sink your pole into, but be careful where you are sitting when you fish in this state.
If you decide to cuddle up on a camel’s back with your pole out in the river you could find yourself eating a less-than-fresh fish dinner behind bars. Darn!
Camels are so comfy!
The next block is Pennsylvania
a super easy block! (This was a block I made for my very first quilt I made when I was pregnant with my oldest daughter) she loved the quilt to shreds btw!
grab the #1 dark red cut from above
also grab (4) #2 white squares
and grab (4) dark blue #8 rectangles (2″ x 3 1/2″)
Super easy to assemble!
Here’s some facts about the Keystone state
Entered Union (rank): Dec. 12, 1787 (2)
Motto: Virtue, liberty, and independence
Pennsylvania is the first state of the fifty United States to list their web site URL on a license plate.
In 1909 the first baseball stadium was built in Pittsburgh.
Hershey is considered the Chocolate Capital of the United States. (I want to go there!!)
The first daily newspaper was published in Philadelphia on Sept. 21, 1784.
Philadelphia saw the first Zoological garden in July 1874.
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In Hazleton, there is a law on the books that prohibits a person from sipping a carbonated drink while lecturing students in a school auditorium.
Philadelphia is the site of the first presidential mansion.
Betsy Ross made the first American flag in Philadelphia.
“Doctor, if you don’t give me something to help me breathe, I’m going to stop!” came the urgent cry of 16-year old Frederick Gable of Loganville. Vowing not to lose another patient to pneumonia, Dr. George Holtzapple successfully created the first application of oxygen, thus saving his patient’s life and winning international fame through his discovery. The year was 1885.
Stewartstown hired its first police officer in 1876. He was also the town lamp lighter.
The Declaration of Independence was signed in Philadelphia in 1776.
KDKA radio in Pittsburgh produced the first commercial radio broadcast.
Philadelphia is home to the Liberty Bell.
Pennsylvania is the only original colony not bordered by the Atlantic Ocean.
Pittsburgh is famous for manufacturing steel. Its professional football team is named the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Philadelphia was once the United States capital city.
During the depression canned goods served as admission to The Star Theater in Mercersburg to help supply the local soup kitchen.
Punxsutawney citizens are proud to be over shadowed by their town’s most famous resident the world-renowned weather forecasting groundhog Punxsutawney Phil. Punxsutawney is billed as the weather capital of the world.
The first magazine in America: the American Magazine, published in Philadelphia for 3 months in 1741
and the last block this week is Florida! (I used to live there for 8 years!)
With die #6 and light blue cut out (2) on point squares (2 5/8″ squares)
also cut (7) in red and save 2 for this block
grab (4) white #3 triangles already cut (3 7/8″ triangles)
sew a simple four patch with the squares
now sew the white triangles to the sides as the four patch is on point!
And some facts about the sunshine state
Admission to Statehood: March 3, 1845 (27th State)
Capital City: Tallahassee
Greater Miami is the only metropolitan area in the United States whose borders encompass two national parks. You can hike through pristine Everglades National Park or ride on glass-bottom boats across Biscayne National Park.
Saint Augustine is the oldest European settlement in North America. (Wish we would have gone there, but never did)
Orlando attracts more visitors than any other amusement park destination in the United States.
Cape Canaveral is America’s launch pad for space flights. (We’d see then from where we lived and just saw a little flying dot!)
Florida is not the southernmost state in the United States. Hawaii is farther south.
A museum in Sanibel owns 2 million shells and claims to be the world’s only museum devoted solely to mollusks.(There is a store on Sanibel Island called “she sells sea shells by the sea shore”)
The United States city with the highest rate of lightning strikes per capita is Clearwater.
Gatorade was named for the University of Florida Gators where the drink was first developed
May 20, 1970 Florida lawmakers passed and sent to the Governor a bill adopting the moonstone as the official state gem. Ironically, the moonstone is not found naturally in Florida…nor was it found on the moon
Miami installed the first bank automated teller machine especially for rollerbladers
Fort Lauderdale is known as the Venice of America because the city has 185 miles of local waterways (Sure is!! We used to stay at Isle of Venice when we visited as tourists before I moved there)
Florida is the only state that has 2 rivers both with the same name. There is a Withlacoochee in north central Florida (Madison County) and a Withlacoochee in central Florida. They have nothing in common except the name. (ummm DUH?? why??)
An End to a LegendAmelia Earhart left for her trip around the world in 1937. The last time she was seen on land was in Miami just before she took off.
Save Your MoneyIf you don’t like handing your money over to the government, hit up Florida for your next state of residence. They don’t require you to pay personal income tax and they have only had a minimum wage since 2004.
Open SesameEvery building used for public purposes has to have outward opening doors. You know, this prevents you from storming out and letting the door hit you from behind.(Actually, kidding aside, it has to do with strong winds during hurricane season.)
Quit Flapping Your Jaws!You will definitely want to hit the beach while in Florida, but watch what comes out of your mouth while prancing through the sand happily. It is actually illegal for anyone in a swimming suit to sing while in public!
Knock! Knock!It’s always inconvenient when your neighbor’s house goes ablaze. In Florida it becomes an even bigger nuisance because you are legally required to go tell them their house is on fire.